Next-Generation Ford Mustang Will Be Dodge Challenger Big

First and foremost, the Ford Mustang isn't going anywhere. The iconic muscle car will continue to be part of Ford's lineup for the foreseeable future. In fact, the Blue Oval has big plans for the Mustang. According toAutomobile Magazine, the next generation model will switch to the CD6 rear-wheel-drive platform that underpins thenew ExplorerandLincoln AviatorSUVs. A three-row SUV-based Mustang?

Indeed, and the reason why boils down to cost. Ford has done the math and by next year these SUVs will likely sell 300,000 units. To compare, last year Ford sold over 260,000 Explorers and barely 76,000 Mustangs. By 2021, the next-gen Edge is also expected to switch to the CD6 platform, adding even more earnings. Today's Mustang is the sole Ford vehicle to ride on its unibody rear-wheel-drive platform. Switching to the CD6 architecture saves a lot of money but it also comes at price: size.

The CD6 platform is highly flexible in terms of scaling it down. However, certain components cannot be downsized to match the current Mustang's dimensions. The Dodge Challenger is an ideal example. It's about the size, length and height as the Charger sedan because designers could only do so much. Specifically, the Challenger's tall front cowl had to match the Charger's. To give you a better idea how much bigger the next Mustang will likely be, the Challenger is 197.9 inches long with a 116.2-inch wheelbase. Today's Mustang is 188.3 inches long and has a 107.1-inch wheelbase.

See what we mean? It's quite a difference. But there is an upside to a bigger Mustang. Its longer wheelbase would provide additional flexibility with EPA fuel economy rules because of its larger "footprint." So there's that.